There is a new development linked to this A-cat.

Here a quote from the CQ (cat quarterly) magazine :


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The new design makes use of the new revolutionary material Tilinium. The name is a combination of "Titanium" and "Aluminium". It combines the better proporties of these materials with some that are normally associated with carbon fibres.

Because of the mix, Tilinium has three times the "strength to weight ratio" of aluminium and betters carbon laminate by about 50 %. It is more resistant to corrosion and degradation then the other named materials. It also has an extremely good fatigue resistance. The aluminium part allows this material to be extruded, with the titanium compound adding stiffness and strength and allowing a thinner wall thicknesses.

However none of these properties is actually the reason for its use in this new design. The properties that were of interest were actually the fact that this new and very exclusive material is now seen as far more fashionable then carbon laminate, something that is amplified by the fact that it is even MORE expensive as carbon laminate.

The builder feels that these selling points give him an undeniable advantage over the competition in a cat scene were the use of laminates like carbon and kevlar has become quite ordinary. Stock traders and .com millionairs are increasingly unwilling to invest 20.000 in a product that doesn't "Ooooh" and "Aaahh" the lesser fortunate sailors on the beach anymore. The builder expects this new material to quickly replace carbon laminate as the supreme false idol of modern cat sailors while its high cost will keep it well out of reach of the lesser designs like the FAD boats.


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<img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Wouter <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />


(You have to do without me for the coming days, I've gone fishing !)